Chance device for random chuted stacking of loose elements for viewing



1967 s. R. BITTNER CHANCE DEVICE FOR RANDOM CHUTED STACKING OF LOOSE ELEMENTS FOR VIEWING Filed Oct. 27, 1964 I NVENTOR. 5'5 YMOl/E K 5/ TTA/IS/a United States Patent 3,304,091 CHANCE DEVICE FOR RANDOM CHUTED STACKING OF LOOSE ELEMENTS FOR VIEWING Seymour R. Bittner, 613 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205 Filed Oct. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 406,736 Claims. (Cl. 273144) This invention relates to a game device and more particularly to a device particularly adapted for use in a game in the nature of a guessing game.

It is an object of this invention to provide a game device suitable for use in a game of the guessing type played by two or more players for purposes of amusement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a game device of the character indicated which is readily portable and may be hand manipulated and held for the purpose of exposing a predetermined number of randomly selected playing pieces or counters which are then maintained against accidental dislodgement or displacement during the course of the playing of a hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game device of the character indicated wherein the random distribution and selection of the playing pieces are assured and wherein the playing pieces are effectively randomly redistributed at the end of each hand in preparation for the playing of the next hand.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a game device of the character indicated which may be played by two or more players wherein each of the players attempts to guess the nature of the distribution of the counters in'the device held by the opposing player or players guided by logical deductions from the guesses of the preceding players during the course of playing the hand in addition to basing his guess upon pure intuition.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of a game device of the character indicated which is convenient to hold and simple to operate and which may be manufactured at low cost but will nevertheless perform its function with a high degree of efiiciency.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment thereof. For this purpose there is shown a form of the invention in the accompanying drawing forming part of the present specification. This form is described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention. It is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being as well defined by the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a game device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view thereof as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows 22 in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view thereof with the top wall removed, as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, showing the top wall in position.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof similar to the view of FIG. 4 showing the device flipped into playing position in the direction of the arrow A of said FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view thereof in flipped position as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof in perspective, partly broken away.

As may be seen from FIGURES 1-4 the device com- "ice prises a container designated generally by the numeral 10, which device is preferably of rectangular form. The container comprises top wall 11, bottom wall 12, identical end walls 13, rear wall 14, and front wall 15. It will be noted that bottom wall 12 and rear wall 14, as well as the identical end walls 13 are provided with an opaque layer 19 of paint or the like. As here shown, the layer 19 is preferably formed on the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 12, the rear wall 14 and the end walls 13 so as to prevent visibility therethrough. It will be noted that the top wall 11 is shown as transparent, but may be opaque if desired. Also, it will be noted as best seen in FIGURES 2, 4, 5 and 6 that the opaque layer 19 is provided on only a portion of the front wall 15 which portion extends upwardly from the bottom wall 12 and terminates remotely from the top wall 11 so as to leave a clear or unobstructed transparent portion 20 of the front wall 15 which portion 20 constitutes a window defined in the front wall 15. Consequently, it will be understood that except for the window 20 the container 10 is preferably completely opaque.

Provision is made for a partition 16 which as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 abuts the inner surface of the top wall 11 and extends downwardly toward the bottom wall 12 but terminates remotely from the latter so as to define a passage 21 between. the partition 16 and the bottom wall 12. Furthermore, it will be noted from FIG. 3 that the partition 16 extends all the way between the inner surfaces of the opposing end walls 13. In the surface thereof which faces the front wall 15, the partition 16 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced flutes or chutes 17 which extend in the direction between the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, each chute is concave or semi-circular in cross section with the concavities facing the front wall 15. The chutes are adapted to accommodate balls or markers 18 which are disposed within the container 10. In the present embodiment there are five chutes or flues defined in the partition member 16. In accordance with the provision of five chutes, there is provided in the container 10 at least five balls 18 each ball, one of five different colors. The balls are adapted to ride in the chutes as shown for example in FIG. 3. With the container 10 in the condition there- 'of illustrated in FIG. 4, the balls are free to move when the box is shaken or agitated toward the front window 5 passing through passageway 21 under the partition 16. It will be noted that the spacing between the partition and the front window 15 is such that there is only enough space in the widthwise direction of the container from the partition 16 to the window 15 for one ball to be aligned with each chute between the partition and the window. Consequently, when the container is flipped by in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 4 from the position thereof shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, it will be apparent that the balls which have been aligned with each chute 17 will enter the chute with the foremost ball being deposited on the top wall 11. It will be noted from FIG. 4 that the clear transparent or window area 20 of the front window 15 which has a longitudinal dimension indicated between the arrow head 22 permits viewing by the eye E therethrough as indicated by the arrow 23. However, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 4, none of the balls or markers 18 can be observed in the condition of the box or container as shown in FIG. 4. However, when the container is rotated by 180 to the position thereof shown in FIG. 5, the eye E can see only the bottommost ball or marker 18 in view of the fact that the longitudinal dimension of the window 20 indicated by the arrows 22 is substantially equal to the diameter of a ball or marker 18 and consequently only the lowermost ball 18A in each of all the player's.

her and colorfor example 3 red.

the chutes is visible. All balls 18 above the window 20 are hidden from view by the opaque layer 19 on the inner surface of the front window 15. Consequently it will be apparent that by looking through the window 20 'in the position of the box shown in FIGS. 5 and -6, one

can readily ascertain the color of each ball in each of :the five chutes 17.

In the present embodiment, five colors are used for the balls, namely blue, green, red, yellow, and white. However, it will be understood that any five different colors may be selected. In utilizing the container provided with balls or markers 18 for a guessing game, the various colors have no given values nor is the arrangement of the balls in the window of any importance. It will be apparent that innumerable combinations of the five colorballs visible through the window 15 are possible so that assuming that five players are playing the guessing game no one hand will ever be the same as another at the same time. Perception, deception, logic, and bluff are the main elements of the game played with the container 10. In brief, the players take turns stating the total of similarly colored balls or more of the same color amongst When a player believes that the player immediately preceding him has overestimated the number of balls of a particular color, he challenges the call. All other players in turn then take sides for or against the challenger. A physical count of that particular color is then made, and if less than the stated or called amount, the challenger and those players siding with him will win.

The equipment necessary for playing the game is the provision of a container 10 provided with the balls or markers 18 for each player. In addition there are required chips or a score pad and pencil. Before beginning each hand, each player shakes his box well and ascertains that five balls show in the window 15 when the box is flipped or turned to the position thereof shown in FIG. 5, the shaking taking place with the box being held in the condition thereof shown in FIG. 4. If five balls do not appear in the Window, namely one in each chute, the player keeps shaking the box and flipping the box over until each chute is filled. The player must not allow the other players to see his colors until the end of the hand. The starting player is chosen by mutual consent and calls out his guess as to the sum of any one color held by all other players including himself, in the game. The player on his immediate left makes the second call followed in turn by calls from all the others in turn, proceeding cockwise. The first player must call out a num- The second player cannot repeat this call nor make a lesser call, but he may equal the call in another color or raise the call or challenge. No player may repeat or lower the call once it has been made. Each player in turn, including the opening caller, follows this procedure until the next player challenges his immediate predecessors call. When a challenge has been made no further calls are permitted and each player in turn following the challenger must choose either the side of the caller or the challenger. When all players have made their choice, the windows of all boxes are exposed and the color is counted. If the total is exact or more, the caller and those who sided with him win, if less the challenger and those who sided with him win. The losers pay the winners-for example: if there are 2 winners and 3 losers, each winner receives 3 points or chips.

Once rotation has been established, players must retain their relative positions until each player has had a chance to start a game. When a player leaves the game, his turn is taken by the following player. He may not return until the end of the round. No player may pass a call. When his turn comes, he must make a call or challenge. A call of zero is not permitted. A player who makes a wrong call may be apprised of it by any player and compelled to make a corrected call, fiowever, if

another player acted on that call, the hand is void. The boxes are reshaken and the game begins again with the same starter. There is no penalty. A player who makes a call or challenge out of turn, ends the game and becomes the loser, paying each player one point. When a challenge is made each player in turn must choose a side. Once he has chosen he cannot change his mind. If a player shakes his box in such a way as to disturb his color combination, he forfeits the hand and pays each player one point. After a round (each player has had a chance to start the game), players may change their positions and a new starter is chosen. If, when all windows are exposed, it is determined that a player or players do not show five colors in their windows, they become the only losers and must pay one 'point to each player.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been illustrated and described a highly novel device for playing a guessing game which is very simple in construction and which can give a great deal of pleasure and fun to players using the box. It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without however departing from the basic inventive concept thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A game device comprising a box-like container having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and opposing end walls, a planar partition member disposed in off-center parallel relation to said front and rear walls and extending from said top wall to terminate short of saidbottom wall whereby to define a pair of chambers between said front and rear walls and said planar partition member inter-connected by a passageway, said partition having a plurality of chutes defined therein, said chutes facing the front wall and a plurality of balls disposed within said container, said balls being movable between said chambers through said passage into alignsaid chutes may be viewed.

2. A game device comprising a box-like container having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and opposing end walls, a planar partition member disposed in off-center parallel relation tosaid front and rear walls and extending from said top wall to terminate short of said bottom wall whereby to define a pair of chambers between said front and rear walls and said planar partition member interconnected by a passageway, said partition having a plurality of chutes defined therein, said chutes facing the front wall and a plurality of balls disposed within said container, said balls being movable between said chambers through said passage into alignment with said chutes below said partition, whereby reversal of said container by will cause said balls to enter said chutes, each chute having a transverse dimension substantially equal to one ball and one of said walls having means whereby at least some of the balls which have entered said chutes may be viewed.

.3. A game device comprising a box-like container having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and opposing end walls, a planar partition member disposed in off-center parallel relation to said front and rear walls and extending from said top wall to terminate short of said bottom wall whereby to define a pair of chambers between said front and rear walls and said planar partition member interconnected by a passageway, said partition having a plurality of chutes defined therein, said chutes facing the front wall and a plurality of balls disposed within said container, said balls being movable between said chambers through said passage into alignment with said chutes below said partition, whereby reversal of said container by 180 will cause said balls to enter said chutes, said partition member having five chutes defined. therein, and said container having twenty-five I balls, there being five balls each of five different colors and one of sai-d walls having means whereby at least some of the balls which have entered said chutes may be viewed.

4. A game device comprising a box-like container having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and opposing end walls, a planar partition member disposed in oil-center parallel relation to said .front and rear walls and extending from said top wall to terminate short of said 'bottom wall whereby to define a pair of chambers between said front and rear walls and said planar partition member interconnected by a passageway, said partition having a plurality of chutes defined therein, said chutes facing the front wall and a plurality of balls disposed within said container, said balls being movable between said chambers through said passage into alignment with said chutes below said partition, whereby reversal of said container by 180 will cause said balls to enter said chutes, said bottom wall, said end walls and said front and rear walls being opaque, and said front wall having a window defined therein to expose the bottom ball in each chute in said reversed condition of said container.

5. A game device comprising a box-like container having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and opposing end walls, a planar partition member disposed in off-center parallel relation to said front and rear walls and extending from said top wall to terminate short of said bottom wall whereby to define a pair of chambers between said front and rear walls and said planar partition member interconnected by a passageway,

said partition having a plurality of chutes defined therein, said chutes facing the front wall and a plurality of balls disposed within said container, said ba-lls being movable between said chambers through said passage into alignment with said chutes below said partition, whereby reversal of said container by will cause said balls to enter said chutes, said bottom wall, said end walls and said front and rear walls being opaque, said front wall having a window defined therein to expose the bottom ball in each chute in said reversed condition of said container, and said top wall being transparent.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 497,726 5/1893 Phelps 273-138 1,601,643 9/ 1926 Pedrick 273-1453 X 1,722,986 7/ 1929 McAlice. 2,103,151 12/ 1937 Dietrich 273-113 2,296,001 9/ 1942 Slattery 273-1454 2,396,475 3/ 1946 Rodekurt 273-138 FOREIGN PATENTS 753,704 8/1933 France.

230,717 2/1911 Germany.

474,019 3/ 1929 Germany.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A GAME DEVICE COMPRISING A BOX-LIKE CONTAINER HAVING A TOP WALL, A BOTTOM WALL, OPPOSING FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND OPPOSING END WALLS, A PLANAR PARTITION MEMBER DISPOSED IN OFF-CENTER PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND EXTENDING FROM SAID TOP WALL TO TERMINATE SHORT OF SAID BOTTOM WALL WHEREBY TO DEFINE A PAIR OF CHAMBERS BETWEEN SAID FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND SAID PLANAR PARTITION MEMBER INTERCONNECTED BY A PASSAGEWAY, SAID PARTITION HAVIN A PLURALITY OF CHUTES DEFINED THEREIN, SAID CHUTES FACING THE FRONT WALL AND A PLURALITY OF BALLS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CONTAINER, SAID BALLS BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN SAID CHAMBERS THROUGH SAID PASSAGE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH SAID CHUTES BELOW SAID PARTITION, WHEREBY REVERSAL OF SAID CONTAINER BY 180* WILL CAUSE SAID BALLS TO ENTER SAID CHUTES AND ONE OF SAID WALLS HAVING MEANS WHEREBY AT LEAST SOME OF THE BALLS WHICH HAVE ENTERED SAID CHUTES MAY BE VIEWED. 